Answering 5 FAQs about the Symptoms and Treatment of Arthritis

Arthritis, characterized by pain and stiffness, is an umbrella term for more than 100 conditions affecting the joints and surrounding tissues. Public health definitions of the disorder proposed by medical experts cover both arthritis and associated rheumatologic conditions. If you or loved one has just been diagnosed with arthritis, you may have various questions, doubts, and concerns. Although you can always consult the orthopedic surgeons participating in the referral line of Texas Health Spine & Orthopedic Center to learn more about arthritis; in this blog post, we try to clear the smokescreen by answering five FAQs on the treatment and symptoms of arthritis.

1. What are the treatments available for arthritis?

The treatment for arthritis typically includes medications, physical therapy, patient education, and if those don’t work, surgery. Depending upon the severity of symptoms, the treatment may involve more than one approach. The primary focus of every arthritis treatment, however, is to control pain, prevent further damage to the joint, help maintain normal body functions, and improve the patient’s quality of life.

2. What is the role of patients in managing arthritis?

The patient can contribute to the successful outcome of the treatment by:

Learning about arthritis

Following through with treatment

Reporting progress and setbacks to their doctor

Maintaining a positive attitude

Arthritic patients must never hold themselves back from asking any questions related to the condition or its treatment.

3. Why is it important keep the weight in check?

Body weight is a vital consideration in the treatment of arthritis. Being overweight or obese puts extra pressure on weight-bearing joints, aggravates pain, and damages bones and tissues. People with arthritis, therefore, need to maintain a healthy body weight. They should either stay close to the recommended weight or lose weight.

4. Can I exercise if I have arthritis?

Yes, you can. Low-impact and arthritis-friendly exercises, in combination with a strict diet regime, can help you get back to routine faster, apart from helping you shed those extra pounds in case you are overweight. Moderate physical activities at least five times a week are known to relieve arthritis pain and stiffness, and give patients more energy. These activities can also lift your mood and make you feel more positive.

5. How can I cope with arthritic pain?

It is absolutely normal for patients to experience some level of pain, especially during physical activities. The joints may take 6 to 8 weeks to start responding to the pain management plan. Continuing with the activity program, however, is likely to result in long-term pain relief. Warm up properly before each exercise, make sure you have comfortable shoes on during exercises, and workout in a comfortable environment. Always talk to your doctor about changes in your pain level.

Looking for an Arthritis Specialist? Look No More!

We hope the aforementioned questions and answers provide you with the basic information on treatment of arthritis. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with arthritis or noticing any of its symptoms, waste no time in consulting a specialist. Contact Texas Health Spine & Orthopedic to connect with a member of our referral line who is an experienced orthopedic doctor for treatment of arthritis in Plano and nearby areas. To schedule an appointment with an arthritis specialist, simply call 888 608 4762 or fill out ourcontact form and we will take it from there.

NOTE: Physicians who are members of the referral program practice independently and are not employees or agents of Texas Health Spine and Orthopedic.